What is Engagement Model?
The structure that defines how an independent consultant or advisory firm works with a client: including scope, duration, deliverables, decision rights, communication cadence, and commercial terms. Common models include project-based, retainer, embedded, and fractional arrangements.
My perspective
In practice
Choosing the right engagement model matters as much as anything else. A retainer suits ongoing strategic counsel; a project model suits a defined deliverable; embedding yourself inside a client team suits hands-on transformation work. The model shapes the relationship, not just the invoice.